Camera Labs

Hi everyone. I'm in some deep trouble at the moment, because I've lost about 4 gb of data. I'm using a Toshiba 4 gb CompactFlash card on my canon 5d and a Trust multi card reader to read it. After i put the CF card in the cardreader and it didn't read i tried putting it back in the camera and use the slow method with the camera cable. The 5d told me the card wasn't formatted and i couldn't see any data! I made pictures on it just minutes ago :S
Anyone who could help me solve this situation I would be much obliged.

[edit]
i just noted that one of the pins in my cardreader was bent. Could this be the problem? and if so, will my data be retrievable?

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Canon 5D + 17-40 F4L + 50 F1.4 + 70-200 F2.8L
Velbon Sherpa 200R

The bent pin issue: unless its severly bent, it shouldnt really affect operation as it will still make contact with the contacts of the card. If you have some tweezers, _Gently_ tease the pin straight.

Have you tried the card and or card reader on a different pc? Just to rule out theres been no conflicts made on your pc. If it works fine on another computer, try a system restore on your pc and try again.

I'd start there and see how you go...

Have you done anything that comes to mind that may affect the CF card from reading?

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Phil Diggle - Freelance Graphics Designer, Full Time University Student and Novice Photographer!

Camera Kit - Sony A200K 18-70 DT | Minolta 70-210 AF 'Beercan' | Sony 50mm f/1.8 | Jessops Flash Gun

http://www.phildiggle.co.uk | Flickr Photo Portfolio - Working Progress

Hmm, if it doesn't read in the card-reader and the camera I fear you're in for some serious trouble
Have you looked whether some pin in your camera is also bent?
Because first of all you need a working electrical connection. As Phil suggested, try it with another reader.
If you google "sandisk cf recovery" some companies show up offering recovery software (often with free trials). You may try one of those.

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Thomas (beware: Nikon-fanboy and moderator!) My Lens Reviews, My Pictures, My Photography Blog
D800+assorted lenses

thanks thomas, I'll try that.
Luckily my camera works fine at the moment with other CF-cards, so it's only this disk that's in trouble. I'll just buy a big cf card and use usb cable connection for now...

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Canon 5D + 17-40 F4L + 50 F1.4 + 70-200 F2.8L
Velbon Sherpa 200R

Something similar just happened to me..very important pictures

Does anyone have any experience with taking it to some sort of experts..companies or otherwise? For a more professional attempt?

Try a data restoration application first, if the card is recognized by your pc.

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I take pictures so quickly, my highschool was "Continuous High".

Hi citruspers,

Thanks you for the advice - yes I did try that ..three different recovery programs. Unfortunately my camera and two different PCs doesn't even recognize that the card at all.

So I am wondering if any one has tried a specialized data recovery business

Cheers

can becks, very big bucks for pro-data retrieval, i have heard into the thousands... but that was with HDD not flash memory

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Canon 50D || Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 || Tamron 17-50 f2.8 || EF 50mm f/1.4 || EF 35-105mm f/4.5-5 USM || 430EX II w/wireless system flickr